Editor’s Note: California EPR will be featured in sessions at the co-located 2026 Resource Recycling Conference and Plastics Recycling Conference, Feb. 23-25 in San Diego, California. Register now!
CalRecycle has released an updated draft of SB 54 regulations, with a comment period to last through Feb. 13.
At the beginning of January, the agency pulled its draft of California’s Plastic Pollution Prevention and Packaging Producer Responsibility Act to review and provide clarity to the bill.
Circular Action Alliance CEO Jeff Fielkow commented that the PRO will submit its plan in June 2026, and then the SB 54 advisory board will review the plan and provide recommendations. Implementation is scheduled to begin Jan. 1, 2027.
The National Stewardship Action Council provided a statement about the new proposed draft, saying “NSAC commends CalRecycle and the Office of Administrative Law for hearing the concerns we raised through public comment periods about the categorical exclusion language and how unfair it was to businesses and undermined the intent and integrity of the law that was so thoughtfully negotiated.”
When in effect, the law will require producers to ensure:
- 100% of single-use packaging and single-use plastic food serviceware sold in the state is recyclable or compostable
- 65% of single-use plastic packaging and single-use food serviceware is recycled, and
- 25% reduction from 2023 levels for the sale or distribution of single-use plastic packaging and single-use food serviceware
“Statutory deadlines under SB 54 have not changed, and producers should continue working with CAA to register, report and participate in the program,” CAA noted.
